Cricket

[BigMick]

Not disputing that although Bumble thinks he (Mahmood) has something about him

There is also the political angle of attracting players of Asian extraction in to the England game

And Bumble is right, and, more importantly, his coaches at Lancashire, Chapple and Onions, both decent bowlers, agree. But he needs to be allowed develop naturally; as Onions says, he wants Mahmood to be consistent enough to oust him (Onions) from the team. I don't think seeing him tonked around the ground would persuade too many Asian boys to want to follow in his footsteps. Let's see how he does next season in the 1st Division.

 

[summerisle]

Pleased with that, did excellent last season.

 

[Toffee in Jandals]

First test Australia v New Zealand starts today in Perth (or early morning UK time). Can't wait. Should be a good series, as long as NZ play as well as we know they can and don't bottle it like we almost always do on cricket tours of Aussie.

Presuming Boult and de Grandhomme are fit to play, my XI is Raval, Latham, Williamson, Taylor, Nicholls, Watling, de Grandhomme, Santer, Wagner, Ferguson, Boult.

 

[deipnosophist]

only Australia can win this test

 

[summerisle]

only Australia can win this test

Dropping Smith doesn't help.

 

[deipnosophist]

Dropping Smith doesn't help.

Fergusson has injured himself...out for remainder of test.

 

[summerisle]

Fergusson has injured himself...out for remainder of test.

Was he carrying an injury before the game ?

 

[summerisle]

Couple of late wickets for New Zealand : close- Australia 248-4.

 

[deipnosophist]

Was he carrying an injury before the game ?

No.

 

[BigMick]

Looking tough for NZ: Latham out 2nd ball, Raval failed again, Williamson gone. Good news is that Taylor is 50no and Hazlewood appears to be injured, possibly cancelling out the loss of Ferguson. Shame Sky aren't showing it over here!

 

[Lanolin]

Mahmood worth a go in 20/20 but should be nowhere near the test squad. He's 5th choice seamer at Lancs, behind Anderson (if fit and available), Onions, Bailey, and Gleeson. He had a mixed year in the Championship last season - some good spells mixed in with some poor ones, usually when he bowled too short. He's got potential but needs to establish himself at Lancs before he plays for England.

Not talking specifically about Mahmood, but i'm not sure I agree with that. Particularly as a bowler, modifying your game to make you a safer bet for county cricket is not the way to make yourself a test player. There's a lot to be said for talented young players being fast tracked into the international set up so that they don't get suckered into becoming reliable county trundlers.

 

[summerisle]

No Joe Root in the squad.

 

[deipnosophist]

This test match has been a bit of an ambush by the convict cousins of us kiwis

 

[summerisle]

 

[Toffee in Jandals]

This test match has been a bit of an ambush by the convict cousins of us kiwis

Brilliant performance in this test by Wagner and Southee at least, with Ferguson unable to bowl. Unfortunately (and oddly, considering batting is arguably our stronger suit) it's been our batsmen who have let us down in this test thus far.